A Buckhead resident, whose hobbies once included driving race cars and flying stunt planes, now finds his thrills through the power of the pen, hoping his newest thriller will leave readers on the edge of their seats. Author Gregg Loomis’ novel “Hot Ice” delves into the life of Jason Peters, an international operative working to take down a corporation behind a global environmental conspiracy. Released in May, “Hot Ice” marks the second appearance of the contract killer, who debuted in Loomis’ 2007 novel “Gates of Hades.” Raised in Ansley Park, Loomis published his first novel in 1991, just two years after moving to Buckhead, and has since published seven more with his eighth, “The First Casualty,” to be released in November. Before spending his career as a lawyer specializing in commercial litigation, Loomis traveled the world during his youth. Visiting far-off places led to an appreciation for their history, he said. “Most of my novels take on some historical premise,” Loomis said. “This one is somewhat different in that it is set entirely in the present.” The history aficionado just happens to live across the street from the Atlanta History Center, though he said most of his recent inspiration has come from real-life news stories or works of fiction. “Before the age of the Internet, I was and still am a big reader,” Loomis said. “I pick up all sorts of books on weird things. I’ve certainly gotten two plots right out of the newspaper.” Rob Hart, Loomis’ editor with Mysterious Press, said the book is a great choice for anyone interested in thriller and suspense novels, including followers of American thriller authors Vince Flynn and Nelson DeMille. “I think Gregg‘s strength as a writer is that he has a really unique perspective on politics and government,” Hart said. “I thought it was really gripping all the way through.”

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